Question

Why do I have painful tingling in my hands and feet?

23 October 2012. Related: All topics.

I am having numbness/tingling in my hands and feet and it’s getting painful, what is the cause?

Answer

Answer: Rebecca McDowall

It sounds as if you may be describing peripheral neuropathy (PN), which varies from pins and needles (in the fingers/hands or toes/feet) to numbness and pain.

For information about peripheral neuropathy, please see this link.

PN is a side effect related to some older HIV drugs. These are:

• d4t (stavudine)
• ddI (didanosine)

If you are taking either of these drugs, speak to your doctor about changing them for alternatives. Do not stop the drugs before you speak to your doctor.

Sometimes a lower dose of d4T can be used, but it is better to change to a completely different drug.

HIV can also cause neuropathy, especially if your CD4 count has ever been very low (under 200, and especially if under 50 cells/mm3).

The earlier you switch the better the chance that this will get better. However, you may have to wait up to two months to know how much this has helped.

Often symptoms can continue to get worse before you notice an improvement.

Symptoms can sometimes stop although this does not happen to everyone. If your symptoms don’t get better and you have already switched from d4t or ddI then speak to your doctor about being referred to see a specialist.